ted jewels, and I’m damn thankful for those sporadic efforts that actually showcase some pason. Remakes like Cronenberg’s The Fly, Carpenter’s The Thing, Aja’s The Hills Have Eyes, and Breck Eisner’s The Crazies give me hope. We may see a lot of really shitty remakes plummet down the pipeline, but every now and then, we get a really spirited effort that almost makes it all seem worth it.

ts his performers with some of the most scintillating monologues the genre has ever heard. Need a little proof? Pay attention to just about everything Harvey Keitel has to say in From Dusk Till Dawn, or check out two of the greatest monologues in the history of the genre, delivered by Kurt Russell in Death Proof. Tarantino is a genius, mple as that!

06. Cheese: Because it Makes you Thirsty: I love me a well assembled cheesefest (wait… was that an oxymoron?). There’s something truly enjoyable about a film that summons raucous laughter, despite being a “dramatic horror” film. When you’re busy laughing your ass off, you can get a little hoarse, and that’s where the genuine gemstone ts: the experience of watching golden comedy while knocking back a 12 pack of beer with some buddies. If someone tells you cheesy b-movies exist for no reason, smash one of those empty cans over their head!

05. Alfred Hitchcock’s Tenon Filled Influence: I honestly don’t believe American storytelling would have progressed at the rate it has if not for the work of the late, great Alfred Hitchcock. The man had an uncanny understanding of complex narrative, and he brought it to the screen in ways unheard of. He taught many a great filmmaker that the story itself must birth the fear and tenon, not mple, or cheap visuals. In short, he really introduced mind numbing suspense, and we as a community will forever owe the man a debt of gratitude for such a monumental accomplishment.

04. Practical SFX: Do I need to really get into this? CGI can be well executed; it just doesn’t seem to happen all that often. Practical FX work however looked great decades ago, and it still looks fantastic today. I could launch into an obnoxious list of films to showcase stellar practical work, or I could just tell you to look into some older work from Rob Bottin, Tom Savini or Greg Nicotero.

03. Foreign Exposure: The last decade has really seen the expanon of foreign film distribution. Ten to fifteen years ago we were forced to read about, or shovel out laughable amounts of money for foreign bootlegs. Nowadays horror is growing in so many locations that it’s not only eaer to find foreign flicks, it’s eaer to find damn good foreign horror! The Spanish have been cranking out kick ass works for years now, as have our friends in Japan; the real shocker for me however, is the level of product that Norway has begun to bring to the table: these guys make fucking wicked horror flicks! And nowadays, it’s relatively easy to get your hands on any film you can read about. L-O-V-E it!

02. Stephen King/John Carpenter TIE: (King) He’s been scaring the urine from our bladders for decades. His works are nearing what seems infinite, he’s mastered every angle Hollywood has to offer, and he’s already got a library that will ensure the man is condered one of the greatest Hollywood (and genre in general) contributors in history. (Carpenter) He gave the world something to fear: a faceless monster that targeted not the poverty stricken, but the comfortable suburbanite family. Michael Myers altered the landscape of horror, and helped launch a slasher craze that continues to thrive today. Take in account other great flicks like the Fog, Escape from New York, Christine (which was penned by King coincidentally enough) and The Thing, and it’s easy to realize there’s no point in arguing my appreciation and admiration for the man.

01. The Greatest Show in the History of Televion: Rod Serling wasn’t just a tough as nails war veteran, he was an amazing story teller with an imagination that seemed limitless. The Twilight Zone is what the man will be remembered for, there’s no question about that. But that my friends, is a damn fine product to be remembered by. The Twilight Zone ran from 1959 to 1964, and aired nearly 150 episodes. Among those numerous tales were depictions of alien invaons, strange mutations, creature attacks and altered realities. The show was captivating in every sense, and remarkably, rarely missed the mark: this was one damn constent series. The concept has been revived numerous times, but nothing touches the technical mastery of Serling’s original vions. The Twilight Zone is still the greatest televion show in history, without a doubt.

Matt_Molgaard
Thursday 11/24/2011 at 06:24 AM | 87413

And the runner up to be thankful for is THIS ARTICLE!

I couldn't have put together a better list Matt, you've pretty much nailed what all horror fans should be thankful for. The Twilight Zone is 100% the best show ever and extra kudos for Danielle Harris.... Whilst I didn't think she was brilliant in Hatchet II (Yet I am a HUGE fan of her work in the Halloweens, Urban Legend and RZ's remakes), she should make any red blooded man's list!

joshk1986
Thursday 11/24/2011 at 08:38 AM | 87417

Yes, Twilight Zone is number 1.

aceofspades70
Thursday 11/24/2011 at 03:51 PM | 87423

Don't forget '80s horror movies...I'm thankful for those every day.

ObscureCinema101
Thursday 11/24/2011 at 04:13 PM | 87425

Don't forget '80s horror movies...I'm thankful for those every day.

i think that falls in the "Cheese" category lol

Matt_Molgaard
Thursday 11/24/2011 at 04:24 PM | 87426

Don't forget '80s horror movies...I'm thankful for those every day.

i think that falls in the "Cheese" category lol

Both of you are correct, lol.

aceofspades70
Thursday 11/24/2011 at 04:30 PM | 87427

Another terrific story from Matt. HorrorBid has become the go to place for must read articles and this is another perfect example of why. Matt you're the man brother!

Well deserved brother. You deserve an appreciation thread as well, hell there are about 10 others that do, hell the whole te does. But you are the most prolific article writer on HorrorBid and I personally thank the hell out of you for it my friend!